Brittany D. Crockett
English 384J
3-30-11
Stories, articles, newsletters, informational texts; these are all forms of readings. Personally I do not enjoy reading and I would rather do something else, but since I am in school and reading is required I must find a strategy to improve my reading skills. These two articles explained to examples of a type of reading styles to be more efficient and for the reader to comprehend and stay focused in the reading. The first article made me realize things that I never thought about as I read to make understand the reading, in the first article by Mike Bunn explained how I should read like a writer, which sounded crazy to me at first until I realized that he is simply saying I should ask myself questions about the reading to see how, where the reading is taking me and the point that the reading wants me to have. By using those techniques this will improve my writing skills, and help me think in depth about what I want the reader to get out my paper. “The goal is to carefully consider the choices the author made and the techniques that he or she used, and then decide whether you want to make those same choices or use those same techniques in your own writing.” (Bunn 73) Reading is an important part of writing because no one would really know how to write if they didn’t read first. You see words and repeat them that are what writing is unless you make up your own words. Reading prepares you to write you have to read what you are writing to finish a paper. Reading other things helps you decide if you want to incorporate different writing style, that would help you get your point across to the reader and reading can also help you decide if you don’t like a certain way something is written or how the reading is going to stay clear of that style on your own paper. “Reading like a writer can help you understand how the process of writing is a series of making choices and in doing so, can help you recognize important decisions you might face and techniques you might want to use when working on your own writing.” (Bunn 75)
I do struggle with reading especially if I am reading to find information and am expected to do an assignment on the reading. One thing that does improve my reading is to make an outline, or try and relate the material to my personal life. ”Reading academics texts is a deeply social activity; talking with your professors and peers about texts can not only help you understand your readings better, but it can push your thinking and clarify your own stance on issues that really matter to you.” (Rosenberg 212) This is one way to improve my reading skills that I never thought of. Another way I do improve my reading skills and especially with difficult material is to try and have questions that I need to find in the reading, already have in my mind exactly I am looking for and what all I need to answer the question.” One of the things that several students mentioned to do first, before you even start reading, is to consider the context surrounding both the assignment and the text you’re reading.” (Bunn 76) I use to always wonder why a professor would give me a long, boring; drawn out readings that I have absolutely no interests in. But is also makes me want to find out why the professor is excited by it or what made he/she pick this particular reading. “As readers, our role is quite active.” (Rosenberg 212) I realize that now as I am reading I should try to find clues that stick out to me that sparks my interest. Also to try and figure what exactly am I supposed to be getting out of all this?
What sparks my interest in these articles is that you should never just read something you should think about what is being said, why is it being said and why does the author want me to know this information. I will be completely honest whenever I read like I had to do for this assignment I only read because I have to; and I only answer the questions and move on I never retain the information nor think about what I would do different if I were the one writing this article. “Then, instead of passively reading the text from start to finish, my suggestions encourage you to pull the reading into its constituent parts…” (Rosenberg 219) Which all in all says that when reading read one as if you’re a writer but to also don’t be intimidated by boring reads, find what is being said elaborate on it and expand your mind to what is being said, why is it being said and honestly what am I going to learn off of this reading.
